Acts 16:23
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And after striking them with many blows, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
when they had laid many stripes upon them--the bleeding wounds from which they were not washed till it was done by the converted jailer (Act 16:33). charged the jailer . . . who . . . thrust them into the inner prison--"pestilential cells, damp and cold, from which the light was excluded, and where the chains rusted on the prisoners. One such place may be seen to this day on the slope of the Capitol at Rome" [HOWSON].
Open source ↗It is some rebuke to Barnabas that after he left Paul we hear no more of him, of what he did or suffered for Christ. But Paul, as he was recommended by the brethren to the grace of God, so his services for Christ after this are largely recorded; we are to attend him in this chapter from place to place, wherever he came doing good, either watering or planting, beginning new work or improving what was done. Here is, I. The beginning of his acquaintance with Timothy, and taking him to be his assistant (Act 16:1-3). II. The visit he made to the churches for their establishment (Act 16:4, Act 16:5). III. His call to Macedonia (after a restraint he had been under from going to some other places), and his coming to Philippi, the chief city of Macedonia, with his entertainment there (Act 16:6-13). IV. The conversion of Lydia there (Act 16:14, Act 16:15). V. The casing of an evil spirit out of a damsel (Act 16:16-18). VI. The accusing and abusing of Paul and Silas for it, their imprisonment, and the indignities done them (Act 16:19-24). VII. The miraculous conversion of the jailer to the faith of Christ (Act 16:25-34). VIII. The honourable discharge of Paul and Silas by the magistrates (Act 16:35-40).
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained!
and arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.”
As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:
I prefer to appeal on the basis of love. For I, Paul, am now aged, and a prisoner of Christ Jesus as well.
“We found the jail securely locked, with the guards posted at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”
The jailer informed Paul: “The magistrates have sent orders to release you. Now you may go on your way in peace.”
He arrested him and put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out to the people after the Passover.
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles...